Mar 6, 2023
By: Srishti MaganActor Deepika Padukone is one of the presenters at the 95th Academy Awards. Padukone’s co-presenters are an illustrious bunch, including actors Emily Blunt, Riz Ahmed, Dwayne Johnson, Samuel L. Jackson, and Michael B. Jordan, among others.
Credit: Instagram
In keeping with the Oscars tradition, this year’s ceremony will also see the Oscar-nominated song Naatu Naatu performed on stage by singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava.
Credit: YouTube
Padukone, who starred in the Hollywood action drama XXX: Return of Xander Cage, is one of only a handful of Indians to have presented at global award ceremonies. Here’s a look at the others:
Credit: IMDb
Originally hailing from Mumbai, Persis Khambatta was a former Miss India, and the first Indian to present at the Oscars in 1980. Her co-presenter was Canadian actor William Shatner. They presented the award for Best Documentary (Feature).
Credit: YouTube
Khambatta made her acting debut with Bollywood, but courted widespread fame for her role in Star Trek: the Motion Picture in 1979 - where she also scripted history as the first bald film heroine.
Credit: Wikipedia
Decades after Khambatta presented an award, Chopra presented at the Oscars in 2016. She presented the award for best film editing, along with American actor Liev Schreiber.
Credit: YouTube
Chopra, who has starred in multiple Hollywood projects, returned to the Oscars in 2021. This time, instead of presenting an award, she joined her husband singer-actor Nick Jonas in announcing the nominations for the 93rd Academy Awards.
Credit: YouTube
Oscars are certainly one of the most popular international award categories and various Indian stars, from Irrfan Khan to Aishwarya Rai, have graced the ceremony. But Indian stars have also been part of other global ceremonies - as presenters, winners and at times, as part of the jury.
Credit: Instagram
Shah Rukh Khan, easily one of the most well-known Indian actors outside of India, was the first male Bollywood actor to present at the Golden Globes in 2009 - where he was introduced as the ‘King of Bollywood’. He co-presented the film Slumdog Millionaire with the film’s actor, Freida Pinto.
Credit: YouTube